Over Charging My Customers | And They Keep Calling For More Work?!?! | THE HANDYMAN BUSINESS | 

This is the business management app I use to run my business go.getjobber.com/thehandymanbusiness Let me know how you like it.

Anyone who's a pro should readily acknowledge your skill and amateurs, like myself, should be able to see the quality of your work. This is obviously the work of The Greatest Handyman Business channel on Earth!

“Do you know where our electricity comes from?” Always love that conversation 😂

$100/hr for custom high-quality/skilled work is not unreasonable. I expect the people who accused you of overcharging are actually undercharging for their own time. Although you said it went into your pocket, it also has to pay for your retirement fund, health insurance, business insurance, etc.

As a professional estimator for a small remodeling company, anyone that says that’s expensive is crazy! You’re very reasonably priced, especially since you didn’t charge them a percentage on materials. Once you figure for overhead and taxes, $4k for 40 hours work is probably only $50/hr. A bargain now a days, especially for someone to do it right.

I'm in Southern Ohio and it's very hard to charge that much for tile work and installing a fire place. I don't think people understand that different locations require different prices. If I would have bid that job where I'm at I would have been out bid by a guy who knows a guy for $500. I bid a counter top replacement to butcher block and tile back splash for $2,500. 14'x4' area roughly. Guy came in and did it for $300. I went back for $4,500 to remove it and start over.

Finally I get to pick on the handyman. That’s a chevron pattern not herringbone. Chevron tiles are cut at 45s on the ends or herringbone or left square 90s..

Great show Handy, always appreciate the details of how the job goes from pricing to finish.

Let's goooo Handy! Keep the videos rolling, loving both channels. You're insight and explanation of everything is amazing! It has helped me DIY better!

Excellent job explaining the process of collaboration with clients to reach consensus for the project design. I do this with customers on a regular basis and it's not always an easy stress free process. Especially if there are 2 strong willed customers that can't agree....

Looks great! I bet they're going to regret skimping on the type of fireplace though.

I think the 2008 housing crash had so many carpenters that became handymen, that the labor price was really tough for a while. So many outbidding each other, was a bit rough getting work. I went back into fad, and manufacturing during that time, but I think a lot of guys got lost and caught up with not raising their labor costs. So, some customers still hire these cheap guys, and think that is the going rate. A rule of thumb we used was materials times three. I have been out of the trades for over 7 years now. Good on you for getting value, also people usually tend to forget that tool upkeep ain't cheap either. Thanks for this video.

I'm not going into the handypeople business, but I employ handypeople occasionally. I find your material educational. I can understand why the bills seem high. Thanks.

Great work handyman! Keep the squeaky voice coming! I love the squeaky sarcasm, 😆😆😆😆! Appreciate you sharing your knowledge and for inspiring us to not be afraid to charge for what we do!

Handy always coming through with the knowledge

Not too expensive when all of the time for prep work and running around is considered. I've recently started charging more, as I use to not charge what I should for run around/prep time in the shop before I ever get to install day.

This is my first year working for myself. Im so busy i cant keep up. I have no employees. I know im working too cheap. Thanks for the reminder. Great video.

You're right on! Nice work!

I run a handyman service as im an engineering technician by trade so im trained in various areas like plumbing, electrics, woodwork, metal work so can turn my hand to alot of different types of work. Most people have no idea how expensive it is to pay someone to do work for you, i grew up being shown how to do things myself because folk had to look after themselves as they simply couldnt afford to pay to have things done for them. These days people think they should be able to Get work done as if its a right and the workmen should lower their wages to accomodate those types. When the truth is, self employed folk can increase their wages to be more than inflation so it seems expensive but really the minimum wage is far far lower than it should be so makes trade wages seem extortionate. Ive had people gasp when i calculated the material cost for a job, i dont make any money from materials, and the customer said that they didnt expect the whole job, materials plus labour to be as much as just the material cost. I do what i can to accomodate people who i know cant really afford to get work done but there's only so much i can do before its not worth the hassle . I dont employ folk to do work for me even if i was unable to do it myself because i know i cant afford it so i have to make do. This is a bit of a rant and probably not making much sense . Most of my customers have to decide on having work done on their house or a holiday that year. As a general rule of thumb where i live , whatever the materials cost you can add on AT LEAST the same again for labour, that would be mates rates.

That’s smart to keep track of meeting time so to add them to your time in the job. You gotta count everything to get the right number when you do job costing.

In AZ the ROC has a 1k limit on what a handyman can do unless they are lic & Bonded. Even a lic handyman has a limit on the job amount. Not sure what the rules are in your state but curious to know.

It still turned out very nice, for a froo-froo chic FP. 🙂 You're very fortunate that your customers pay your worth. In our area, a half-dozen Airwick scented bathroom candles stuck in the firebox would be the most they'd purchase. Unless you can find them cheaper generic Dollar Store candles. 👍😋🕯️

The customer should always pay for the experience that when the job is complete, they step back and go "WOW"!

Awesome quality! Makes me want to get back in the business

Handyman, you did a great job meeting the clients demands. They should have left it completely alone until they could afford to do the right thing.

Yeah I'm glad you made this video. I hated the new fireplace, but figured that's what the people wanted. Different strokes for different folks. I thought about what it might cost, but would never ask - not my house, not my business.

Good video. Like the commentary with overlay from the work video.

That looks so much better then the original. The original looked so dated. Great job!

I've got a similar looking fireplace in my 1920 bungalow and a chimney guy told us it's a coal fireplace and that's why it was letting all the wood smoke into the house, His suggestion was a gas insert.

Like the saying goes you get what you pay for. You my friend are worth every dollar👍🏻 Another great job by the #1 home improvement channel in the world💪🏻💪🏻

I respect any skills tradesman!!! You do top quality work that conforms to the customer's taste. That deserves top pay for top quality. I do not have your skill set but one similar, heavy equipment mechanic. My son and I work together an we charge much the same as you do on a per hour basis. You have to to charge these type of prices to make a living and to own/buy the equipment to do quality work in a timely manner. Your shop full of tool would not that much cheaper then our service truck full of tools. What I found out a long time ago, is trying to do "cheap" work brings in all kinds of problems. The biggest is getting paid. Doing higher end work usually results in fewer payment issues.

I've learned alot about the business aspect from this mans videos. My time and skill is worth the money I think I deserve to charge my customers. When they see your portfolio and decide to hire you for your work, it means they want to pay for it. Doesn't mean that anyone is overcharging or being crooked. They're paying for a quality product!

We wanted to see the fireplace running! Bet it looked awesome with the finished tile and everything.

Looks good handyman you're a surgeon!

Great job handy, seems like it would have been a big job bumping it out. PS- I know you didnt do a dump run for that lil bit of tile!!! 😆 I know you snuck into garbage can at home like we all do hahah

I agree with the owner about the marble. I didn't like the dark, old & outdated look of the fireplace. U did a nice job. That dark mantel is not what I would do but I see why the owners did what they did. The dark matches the flooring.

Skilled labor isn’t cheap cheap labor isn’t skilled

That looks really nice!

Looks great 👍

Question on the butcher block finishing. I did 3 sections for a customer of mine. It’s being used for food prep so we’re thinking mineral oil. I explained the constant maintenance it will require. Thoughts on a more durable finish for food grade? Thanks for the vids.

Hey handy. Have you ever had shop rags catch on fire after staining or sealing, in the trash?

$250 an hour, must be California pricing. Just remember when you hear him quote these numbers, they are what works in his market. The same prices won't hold in say Georgia or South Carlonia. Best bet is to call around and ask for pricing from the big contractors. Then find a number close to there. You will be swimming in work from all the smaller jobs they won't take but you attract the wrong type of client by being the cheapest guy to give a quote.

Another great video

Propane doesn’t leak into the atmosphere like natural gas because it is stored on your property in a system that is perfectly sealed. The natural gas lines running through the city that eventually get to your house are not a perfectly sealed system. So about 7% of the natural gas leaks into the air. But propane is definitely more of a pain than natural gas. And it doesn’t burn as hot.

I was charging $60 per hr. Got tired of being poor! Recently started pricing bid jobs at $100 per hr. I think I’m on the right track now because I’m not getting every single job I bid on but yet I’m busy enough. I’m in Florida BTW. Florida is very tough because contractors licenses are all but out of reach. Well for me anyway. I’m 58. How much longer am I going to work.

Whom ever is saying 4k for this job plus materials is high doesn't value their time/work I would charge the same

I love the dewlap power chisel

i LIKE it! ~ thanks

If that is in fact, what you made for all the different trade hats you put on during this project, you must really like those home owner's. Nice work as well

How much does an insurance broker make and they don't do a goddamn thing

Handyman, Have you covered your ebikes in any previous videos (on either channel)? I see the one in this video and it seems there have been others in the shop in the past. Mostly DIY/ high power? Would love to hear your take on them in general given the 'green' comments in this video :)

I believe you in CA?So i believe in the cost of things but thats insane ill say,lol.The price you put on your workshop,LOL!Mine is a 44x36 completely done and i have $100k in it and its NEW!A lot of FU money out there though.Glad I do 95% of my own work,weather it be home or auto...good stuff though

Busting out the lasers!

Thanks, HM.

It's still a good deal imo, I would have wanted more, but im in Boston, EVERYTHING is more expensive 😂

IMO, your price would be spot on in Maine

What type of finish did you put over the stain?

You ever get clients that see their project on one of your videos here or the other channel? Curious how they react

...and now that 3rd channel? Agreed on the cost of doing business, I guess it only sinks in when you experience SE.

What is the purpose of the solar panel on your truck?

Is fireplace flue plugged since heat is electric?

kuddos to you for being able to charge that much. my recent job i made 1500 building custom built ins. it was like 2k worth of material as well. you probably would of charged 5x what i charged.

Seems fair to me!

How do you approach clients when they call you out to get an estimate but don’t know forsure they’re gonna go with you for the job.. do you tell them we’ll give me this much for show up or how do you comment on that??

Safety 3rd!!!

do they own a Subaru? Heard the lock chirp.

I disagree with the idea that the remodel was not as aesthetically pleasing as the original. Different stylistically for sure, but new install much more skillfully installed and refined. You and your channel have both grown positively over the years. 👍

Not too much

So it came out to about $100/hr? That’s cheap imo. As you know, overhead and taxes eats up a good portion of that so it may end up at $60/hr after all said and done. How’s my math and logic sound, Handyman?

Time is money, ask a lawyer, as long as the customer is pleased and gives you there check book!

$100 an hour, for some reason i thought he’s charge more when you break it down, but on the contrary he provides excellent work, so it takes longer? my guys would have been in and out in a third of the time with it looking about 80% as good, but a third of the price, you get what you pay for, and he’s by himself, so sometimes it may be cost beneficial to hire a contractor that has multiple guys to speed up the process, like hiring one guy to paint a house and you wonder why he’s charging $100 an hour and it takes him 14 days to finish, but every project is different, i respect him at the end of the day

"I love lamp"

Do a breakdown of Chiesa crying after Pena won't the belt.

Not at all. Very good price!

I fix restaurant equipment, and the company charges 130 an hour for me, and everything else is an add-on.

dewalt *

I can only imagine the comments and dm's you receive about your "pricing" .........I live in Seattle, WA so i see a very similar type of market that you show us in your videos. The politics in our region , mkes in nearly impossible to provide a service that please both sides... Its why you will not find many people my age in the trades in this area... That and the fact that us tradesmen get treated like the chum they use for fishing. We are looked down on from women here... Most everyone actually.. because its not "sexy" to them..

That herringbone marble front is…awful. What were they thinking?

Most electric car goon's think that all electric comes from magic :) or wind turbines... etc They watch Star Wars, attend comicon, and play Magic the Gathering as well

Handyman

I don't know how you front up to a client and say "I'll reface your fireplace with about 1.5 square meters of tile, some glue, make a mantle out of generic timber and take the rubbish to the tip for $6000, ($9000 AUD) .... I have to acquire these bullocks

If you never fixed anything in your life, Here is how you know if it is a good price. Price the materials , then watch 1000 videos on how to do it. Then price all the tools needed to do the job, yes the ones in the videos you just watched, yeah the tools that the professionals are using to do the job. Calculate paying yourself times the hours you think it will take, now triple the hours cause you dont know what you are doing. Now is it a good price? Or do you think you know enough to tackle yourself?.....GO!

It cost you a lot of lost income to perform your own work also.

What was the homeowners reaction when you told them the truth about the electricity generation?

If you wanted to have an overly dramatic clickbait video title then you got it lol.

This video sponsored by Natural Gas™

The highest-paid people in the world should be skilled laborers anything else is uncivilized

Good job

If it was me I would just keep it wood. I don't get using gas or electric.

🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️

Anyone else like the no beard look? Much better, in my opinion.

Why wouldn't you run a gas line for them?

Mexican Not Mexi can not . You go an charge them Clint a very high fee just for being white my brother.. lol 😂

You get what you pay for..

So gas fireplaces are good in California, but gas ranges cause global warming and have to be removed?

I've been a handyman and a male stripper for some time now, I want to end my career of dancing but I'm afraid of losing the clients I built up. I wish I never mixed the two businesses. 🤡🔫

Seems like your labor cost was too low for you compared to other jobs you’ve done recently.

First!!!! I would have done a proper opening as well Handydude. Would’ve looked better.

I wouldn't be able to get that much where I am but I typically am able to get jobs over cheaper contractors because of my reviews and customer referrals. I do an exceptional job and press my customers for the review. I love your show and find it inspirational. Keep it up Handyman!

Way to cheap on this. Should have been around 9k.